Pretext: As Principal Director with Smart Kids Robotics we organized in the summer of 2023 a highly successful STEM Summer Camp which involved robotics, programming, and building multiple types of mechanisms such as drones, remote-controlled boats and cars as well as lots of other machines our campers could keep.

It was during our STEM Summer Camp that Gabia Harris took the stage as one of our student volunteers who performed exemplary with many of the duties and initiatives she helped spearhead.  One of those initiatives she took was the writing of this article, unbeknownst to us that she was writing on her experience at Smart Kids Robotics.  We only felt it fitting to publish her article as it reflects so well the mission and beliefs we have at Smart Kids Robotics & STEM.

Here below is her article in full. 

How Robotics can be Life Changing for Children with Autism

By Gabia Harris 

“Children who struggle with autism often turn to robotics, and for good reason” proclaims Andre Champagne, the owner of Smart Kids Robotics, a partner of The Happy Learning Education Centre, a robotics school in Thornhill, Toronto. “It offers a different approach to social situations that often hinders children with autism that struggle in traditional environments”. 

Children with autism often struggle in making friends, reading the room, and with various other social interactions. But they are strong in being able to provide their absolute focus and attention on meticulous and detailed hand-on tasks. Andre Champagne noticed that his son with autism flourished in a robotics classroom because he found that he does not have to face unpredictability of people, something many individuals with autism struggle with. Instead the robots do exactly as they are told/programmed to do.

To make his condition a little easier and challenge the desire for predictability, he founded Smart Kids Robotics and partnered with the Happy Learning Education Centre. The STEM Summer Camp offers various hands-on activities for children, ranging from intricate robot assembling to constructing fascinating wooden mechanical builds to learn and play with. These activities provide an engaging opportunity for children with autism to let their creativity and imagination grow, whereas, in other situations, it could be a struggle. 

Challenging the Pattern of Predictability

Andre Champagne noticed that there was a significant increase of autistic children attending the school, which made him reflect on the reason why. He concluded that autistic children are drawn to environments that provide logic and predictability—qualities that align with their needs. “Children with autism may take things very literally; they sometimes don’t comprehend sarcasm,” Andre explains. “They love predictability and logic, so they do very well with robots because robots do exactly what you tell them to do, unlike people, where it’s unpredictable.”

His notion is supported by research. A study published in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, states that around 70% of autistic children favor routine and predictability. However, the study also stated that gradually introducing slight changes in the routines, such as working with different people or engaging in different activities, improved their social adaptability for 60% of the participants. This proves that while the routine and predictability is crucial to these children, slowly introducing changes can greatly benefit their social interactions. 

Andre took this into account and decided to implement this strategy in the classroom. To help autistic children in the class become more adaptable, he intentionally introduces elements of unpredictability in the activities. For example, he pairs the children with partners they may not be well acquainted with or even like, who differ in age, size, personality and background. By doing this, it challenges the child’s desire for predictability by introducing the unknown variable of a partner’s behaviour during an activity.

This method has proven itself worthy through Champagne’s son, who initially struggled with the unpredictability of new social interactions. Over time, his son grew to appreciate meeting and working with new people, even saying that he now enjoys it more than he ever has. Andre’s creative interventions not only meet the children’s need for structure, but also gently prepare them for the unpredictable world beyond the classroom.

Champagne also noticed another obstacle during activities concerning autistic children. He found that they often struggle with transitioning from one activity to another. To help them cope with this challenge, he developed a clever strategy that involves communicating when he plans on transitioning to the next activity. “I tell them they have 5 more minutes, then 3, and then 1,” he says, ensuring the children are mentally prepared to move on to the next task without feeling overwhelmed.

Even beyond the classroom, this approach is useful. Champagne states that during dental appointments, his son, who also attends the school, won’t participate unless each step of the procedure is carefully explained to him in advance. If this preparation is skipped, his son may simply walk away, politely declining the procedure with a firm “No, thank you.” 

Long-Term Benefits

Although engaging children with autism in STEM classes might seem to be a minor benefit in their lives, it can provide long-term advantages that can improve their overall quality of life. Research has proved that early exposure to STEM activities such as robotics, can significantly benefit the future opportunities for the children. A study by the National Science Foundation found that children who partake in STEM activities at a young age, are more likely to pursue a career in the field, with autistic individuals showing a strong interest in the STEM fields. 

The structured yet creative nature of robotics can help children with autism gain essential life skills. Such as critical thinking, collaboration, and problem solving, which are extremely valuable in professional situations but are also useful in everyday interactions. Over time, these skills can help develop a greater sense of confidence and independence, allowing autistic individuals to navigate life with more ease. 

Furthermore, the familiarity and skill they get in a robotics environment can be transferred to other areas, assisting them with anxiety management and adapting to new situations. As these children get older, their capacity to overcome obstacles, work in groups, and use logical thinking can help them succeed in higher education and the job market, ultimately leading to a more pleasant and autonomous existence.

Practical Advice for Parents

If these benefits seem like a great deal and you’re considering enrolling your child in a robotics program, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, favor programs that are inclusive and have experience working with children on the autism spectrum. The successful programs out there usually offer personalized attention, small class sizes and a structured environment. When you believe you found a good program, make sure to visit it with your child first. This way, you can observe the session and see how the environment feels for them before fully committing. As previously mentioned, giving them a gradual heads-up about robotics can assure them that they are aware of what they are getting into and avoid hesitation. Start by talking about robots and how they work or watch some fun videos together to spark interest on the subject beforehand. 

Who knows, maybe they won’t be able to wait to attend the program!

However, you don’t have to wait to enroll your child in a robotics program or maybe it’s simply not an option, but you still want to introduce your child to the world of robotics. There are various simple technology based activities on the market to support your child development early on. Kits like LEGO Spike or Ozobot are great starters and can offer an easy and gradual introduction to building and programming robots. These kits offer immediate results which can be both rewarding and motivating to the children. There are also many free online coding games and apps such as Scratch, where children can learn the basics of programming through a fun, interactive play. These activities not only improve technical abilities, but they also foster creativity and problem-solving in a fun, low-pressure setting.

Future Prospects

The rapid growth of technology and artificial intelligence is helping the potential for robotics to expand vastly. AI advancements are enabling the development of more sophisticated, personalized robots that can adapt to individual needs.For example, AI-powered robots can monitor a child’s emotional and cognitive reactions in real time, allowing them to tailor their behavior to the child’s present mood and comprehension level. This versatility guarantees that each encounter is matched to the child’s individual learning style, increasing interest and accelerating skill development. 

As these technologies advance, they hold much promise of offering an even more personalized and effective intervention for children. This combination of AI and robotics can vastly increase the educational experience that not only addresses current struggles but also prepares them for a future where technology plays a crucial role in everyday life. 
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The success of Smart Kids Robotics highlights the need for more programs like it, which cater to the specific needs of autistic children.

One thing is for certain,  it’s necessary to expand the availability of programs like these since many don’t have access to them and these programs help all children; regardless of their neurological differences, have a chance to reach their full potential.